Effect of ezetimibe on remnant-like particle cholesterol in subjects with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of ezetimibe monotherapy on remnant-like particle cholesterol (RLP-C) in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Ezetimibe (10 mg/daily) was prescribed over a 12-week period for hypercholesterolemic subjects divided into groups with MetS (n = 28; male/female = 13/15; mean age 67 years) and without MetS (n = 22; male/female = 9/13; mean age 66 years). In the pre- and post-treatment phases, BMI, blood pressure and fasting blood levels of glucose, lipid panels and RLP-C were measured. RESULTS The group with MetS showed significantly higher RLP-C levels than the group without MetS [median level: 0.18 vs. 0.12 mmol/l (7.1 vs. 4.4 mg/dl), p < 0.01] in the pre-treatment phase. In the post-treatment phase, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in both groups to a similar level (p < 0.001 in both), while there was a significantly greater reduction in RLP-C in the group with MetS than the group without MetS [median level: 0.12 vs. 0.11 mmol/l (4.8 vs. 4.1 mg/dl), p < 0.05]. This difference in RLP-C remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSION Ezetimibe monotherapy may be associated with a greater reduction in RLP-C levels in subjects with MetS than in those without MetS.